Kirsten Gillibrand Leverages Her Donor List Against Todd Akin

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is asking her donors to join the Democratic fight against Rep. Todd Akin (R) in Missouri, TPM has learned. On Friday morning, Gillibrand will email a scathing attack on Akin to her donor list and call on her supporters to send money to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), who's facing Akin in November.

"Unbelievable. Hours after he made his official decision to stay in the Missouri Senate race, Todd Akin said Senator Claire McCaskill was more 'ladylike' in 2006," Gillibrand writes in the fundraising email. "It’s demeaning, but not surprising – not from the guy who spoke of 'legitimate rape.'"

This is at least the second time Gillibrand has asked her donors to pitch in for McCaskill. After Akin's "legitmate rape" comments went viral in August, Gillibrand sent a fundraising appeal for McCaskill to her list as well.